I like the 1st two for obvious reasons, but I want to get some info first hand, if possible. I like the Super Champ because is has tubes, a line out, built in delay, and you can use two stacked, one set dark and one bright; modularity. I had a rig like that in the early 90's, but I can't remember the model of the amp (Fender). It had the same configuration.

I've only played through the Super Champ. I know there's plenty of guys who've played through small enclosure amps (I've had several, including a Silverface Champ), but I'm not a fan of them. I don't think you get enough bottom end response outa those small enclosures. The only thing I like alot about the XD is its portability.

On the other hand, I've played through a Epiphone 5-watt Valve Special and its cabinet is slightly larger than my 30-watt Peavey Classic 30, and it kicks ass all the way around. Epi has discontinued that amp, but its higher powered (15 watt) brother, the Valve Standard is still available.

This line of Epi amps trumps the main drawback of the little Valve Jr.s and that is the small cabinet size. The Valve Standard is surprisingly heavy (especially considering its apparently cheap construction), and it has delay and reverb, depending on which circuit you use.

If you have a bigbox music store close, I'd recommend doing what I did: play an XD, the Epi 15-watt, and then the new Princeton, and maybe a Victoria, a new 5f1, or whatever boutique amps they've got there. I'd ask the store for a room where you can push the amps, so you can drive them at gigging levels. I never test a harp amp out on the show floor..I'd get kicked outa there.Depending on your personal taste, I'm still betting that you'll see the value in the Epiphone-- despite its Chinese cheap "wanna be retro" look, which can be construed as pretty cool, or disgusting.

i have a few too many amps,if there is such a thing.but if i were in the market i'd buy a tweed deluxe off sligo.i think they're the best deal around.i do not own one and i have nothing to do with the company,but if i didn't already have nine or so amps i would buy one from sligo.

The Bassman LE is a damn good amp for the money. At a minimum you will want to retube the preamp section. Changing out a few of the speakers for something other than what's already there will smooth out the sound.

Greg, if I buy a Bassman I will replace the 12AX's with 12AU's, but I really want to avoid looking for speakers. Hell, I'm not sure I can find 12AU's here in France. BTW, can you bridge a new Bassman w/out blowing it up?

Update: I just tried the Super Champ... no go. A feedback machine. On the other hand I was able to play through a 65 Princeton Reverb re-issue and it was sweet... expensive, but sweet. Thing is, for 400 euros more I could get either a re-issue Super Reverb or a re-issue Bassman and a reverb pedal. Decisions, decisions...

i have a sligo built bassman and love it! Steve Clark, the owner there, took my order and put some very harp friendly speakers in it when he built it. i run 12a's as follows: p1, 12ax7, p2, 12au7, p3, 12au7. i also put a jumper cable between input 2 and 3, and plug my mic into 4. great breakup and overdrive that way.i've had this amp for going on 3 years now and never had a problem with it. feedback is very very minimal. the '59 circuit and components are very harp friendly!

Jbone that is very good info, thanks. I was wondering about bridging a new Bassman and if it would cause any problems. I am stuck between the Bassman re issue and the Princeton reverb re issue. I can't order a customized amp from the states; too costly to ship and pay the import tax.

If anybody else has experience with either of these two amps, I would love to hear from you.

As usual I have bought something I had no idea I would buy; a reissue Blues Deville. It is more power than I need, but it was a lot less money than the Bassman. I am already getting pretty good tone from it before doing any modifications. Here is a pic of my settings:

Questions:1) Does anyone have any experience/tips with this amp that you would care to share? Settings, etc.? 2) I am going to re-tube the pre-amp section with 12AU7's in the 2nd and 3rd positions, right to left, but I was wondering about mixing speakers. It has 4x 10" Eminence speakers with blue AlNiCo magnets (30 watts/8 Ohm), and I have bought 2 Jensen JCH 1035-8 Chicago 10" speakers (35 watts, 8 Ohm). Should I use both? Just 1? What position(s) Does it matter? (Let's call the positions 1 2 3 4 left to right, top to bottom).

I have had many amps and currently have a Fender Pro Reverb, Deluxe VM, and a Deluxe Reverb reissue. My favorite amp is my Super Champ XD. It's so versitile. I can make it sound like anything. Add a 12" external cab it gets even better. Run a line out into my Duluxe VM and I can get so loud I can play Carnegie Hall.